Method of and means for drying



June H6, 1925. 1541,98

w. MEYER METHOD OF AND MEANS FOR DRYING Filed Aug. 2, 1925 2 Sheets-$119M 1 ZZZ"! June 16, 1925.

W. MEYER METHOD OF AND MEANS FOR DRYING Filgd Au. 2, 1925 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 iii Patented June 16, 1925;

1,541,988 PATENT OFFICE.

WILLIAM mm, or cmcnoo, nnmors.

METHOD OF AND MEANS FOR DRYING.

application filed August 2, 1923. Serial No. 655,174.

To all whom-it may concern:

Be it known that 1, WILLIAM MEYER, a citizen of the United States, residing at Ghica in the county of Cook and State of ll lIlOIlS, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in Methods of and Means for Drying, of which the following is a full, clear concise, and exact description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification.

My invention relates to an improved method oi and means for drying, and although particularly to an improved method of and means for drying the hair and scalp, it is to be understood that the invention is not dimited to such use, but may be employed for all similar purposes.

Where-the hair and scalp are dried by a ro 'ected stream or blast of air, there is a istmct chilling and wet, clammy feeling, until suficient of the moisture has been evaporated or absorbed. This is true where heated air is projected, as well as where the projected air is cold. Evaporation of the moisture and the accompanying heat transfer results in a drop in temperature and accompanying chill, whether the air is heated or cold. it is because of this that women prefer to d their hair in the sun, if at all possible. T c rays of sunlight counteract the chill accompanying evaporation and absorption of the moisture. Cosmeticians usually attempt to counteract this chilling and wet, clammy feeling by massaging the scalp during drying, to set by a hyperemia. or stimulate the circulation. Sunlight is not always available and massaging during drying is unsatisfactory, difiicult and inconvenient.

y invention contemplates an improved method of drying which comprises projecting radiant heat and radiant light with the stream or blast cl air upon the hair and scalp or other surface, or substance, and more particularly projecting radiant heat and radiant light proportioned relative to the dream of air to stimulate the circulation just suficiently to counteract the chilling sheet of the air and the evaporation and absorption of the moisture. An important distinction to be borne in mind is that the hot air commonly projected in drying the hair is not radiant heat. It does not stimulate circulation in the scalp or have any of the other beneficial characteristics of radiant heat and light. The radiant heat and light each stlmulate the circulation and this stimulation counteracts the chill, quickens drying and is otherwise beneficial to the scalp and hair. A high power electric or incandescent light provides an excellent source of radiant heat and light for carrylng out the invention. While the radiant heat and light are preferably projected together with the stream or blast of air, e thermay be projected separately with the air, without departing from the spirit and scope of my invention. For example, a source of radiant heat which does not emit rays of light, may be employed. The blast of air while preferably heated, may be projected in cold condition, if so desired, and where air is referred to, I intend to cover all other analogous fluids that may be used for this purpose. The radiant heat and light, together or either alone, reduces or counteracts the chilling and wet, clammy feeling without sunlight and without the necessity of massaging the scalp during.

drying.

Another feature, is an improved appara tus for carrying out the invention.

In order to acquaint those skilled in the art with the'nature of the invention, 1 shall now describe with the aid of the accompanying drawings, the method of the invention and apparatus for carrying it out.

In the drawings Fig. 1 is a longitudinal section on line 1-1 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 2 is a front elevational view looking into the discharge end of the device;

Fig. 3 is a vertical section on line 3-3 of Fig. 1; and F Fig. i is a vertical section on line M of ig. l.

The apparatus which I have selected for illustration comprises an open ended circular shell or drum 5 forming a chamber within which a fan or impeller 6 revolves. A tapering discharge tube 7 attached, at its larger inner end at 8, to the open outlet end of drum 5 receives and directs the air and radiant heat and light to the scalp and hair, or other surface or substance, as it is delivered from the open inlet end 9 by the fan or impeller 6.- The attachmentat 8 is secured by reflexing the adjacent margins of drum 5 and tube 7 and interengagin and securely pressing together said reflexed margins. Between its ends drum'5 has an internal annular strengthening head 10 and at its outer discharge end tube 7 has a strengthening and finishing bead 11.

A ring 12 is secured internally about the inlet end 9 of drum 5 and an electric motor 13, of any suitable or preferred type, is mounted at the inlet end 9 of drum 5 concentrically with respect to the axis of the drum by a supporting frame or mounting bracket 14 to which the inlet end of drum 5 is suitably secured. Motor 13 has a revolvable shaft 15 which projects axially into the inlet end 9 of drum 5 and fixed upon said shaft 15 within drum 5, as by means of a set screw 16, is a hub 17 to which the central portion of the member from which impeller blades 18 of fan 6 are cut and struck or pressed out, is secured by screws 19.

Carried by frame or bracket 14 are a pair of snap switches 20--2O having finger pieces 21-21 one for controlling the circuit thru motor 13 and the other for closing and opening the circuit through a heating coil 24. By closing the circuit through motor 13 fan 6 is started with a resulting projection of cold air from the discharge end of tube 7. Opening the motor circuit stops the fan and discontinues the stream or blast of air.

Heating coil 24 comprises a suitable metallic conducting wire, wound spirally and supported annularly about the outer edge of a polished metal or other suitable reflector 25 which may be of the concave formation shown or of parabolic or any other suitable or preferred formation.

Reflector 25 is mounted concentrically Within the discharge end of drum 5 by spaced angle brackets 26 and its largest external diameter is sufliciently smaller than the internal diameter of drum 5 to provide an annular passage 27 between it and the interior of the drum through which the air is delivered to discharge tube 7. Heating coil 24 is supported annularly about passage 27 in the path of the stream or blast of air from inlet 9 to the discharge end of tube 7, by spaced blocks 28 of porcelain, earthenware or other suitable non-inflammable material carried by angle brackets 26.

' By closing the circuit through coil 24 the air delivered from the device is heated. By opening said circuit cold air may be projected.

A standard or ordinary Edison socket 30 mounted on reflector 25 by a band or bracket 32 secured to the back of the reflector extends thru an opening 33 in the reflector and is adapted for supporting a high power electric light or incandescent lamp 35, such as a nitrogen or high power tungsten filament lamp, in vertical position in the focus of the internal polished surface of reflector 25. Lamp 35 is supplied thru conductors 36, the circuit thru which may be controlled memes by a suitable switch shown diagrammatically at 38. Drum 5 has a bracket 40 for adjustably mounting upon a stand or other suitable support and reflector 25 has an axial opening 42.

Discharge tube 7 is reflexed internally at four diametrically opposite points to provide integral, internal ribs or fins 15 extending longitudinally thru tube 7, for'the purpose of projecting the air in a straight line without swirling, churning or circular motion. v

In carrying out the invention lamp 35 con stitutes the source of radiant heat and radiant light. The rays of light and heat emitted by lamp 35 are reflected by reflector 25 and projected outwardly through the outlet end of tube 7 which in use is directed toward the hair and scalp or other surface. Discharge tube 7 directs the stream or blast of air and the rays of radiant heat and light, together to the field of operation and focuses them there. By closing the motor circuit, fan 13 is started and air is drawn in through inlet 9 and projected with the radiant heat and light from the discharge end of tube 7 upon the hair and scalp. Both the light and the heat rays from lamp 35. stimulate the circulation of the scalp, and by so proportioning them relative the stream or blast of air, the resulting chill is counteractedand the wet, clammy feeling is eliminated. Drying is quickened and the hair and scalp are benefited to a marked extent. By closing the circuit through coil 24:, the air may be heated as desired in its passage around reflector 25.

I do not intend to be limited to the precise details shown and described. For example, the employment of a source of radiant heat alone, or a source of radiant light alone with the stream or blast of air instead of a combined source of radiant heat and radiant light is contemplated within the scope of my invention. The fan may be attached or made a part of the outer edge of the reflector. The apparatus may be made up in all sizes, from the small device which is held in the hand to the large drier mounted on a pedestal.

It is essential, however, that the air blower and light and radiant heat projector be so relatedthat the stream of air and the radiant heat and light rays strike the same surface. Discharge of the air in a straight line and without swirling, churning or circular motion is another important aspect of the invention.

1. In a device of the class described, the combination of a casing having an inlet and an outlet and an annular passage providing communication between said inlet and said outlet and a heating element arranged annularly in said annular passage.

2. In a device of the class described, a casing having a discharge opening, means for projecting a stream of air from said discharge opening, and an electric light arranged in said casing to emit radiant heat and light rays thru said discharge opening, and means other than said electric light ,for heating the air stream in its passage through the casing.

3. In a device of the class described, a casing having a discharge opening, means for projecting a stream of air from said discharge opening, an electric light arranged in said casing to emit radiant heat and light thru said discharge opening, a reflector for said light and a heating element arranged annularly about said reflector and adapted for heating the air as it is projected thru the device.

4. In a device of the class described, a drum having an inlet and outlet, a discharge tube leading from the outlet, an electric motor mounted at the inlet concentrically with respect to said drum, said smotor having a revolvable shaft carrying an impeller within the drum, a reflector mounted within the drum and forming an annular passage about the interior thereof, an electric light in the focus of the reflector and a heating element in said annular passage.

5. In a device of the class described, the combination of a casing having a discharge tube provided with internal longitudinal fins for projecting the airin a straight line and reventing circular motion thereof.

6. n a device of the class described, the combination of means for blowing a stream, of air, a source of radiant energy, means other than said source of radiant energy for heating the stream of air beyond said blow- 1ng means, and means for focusing the radiant energy and the stream of air beyond said heating means in a common field of operation.

7. In a device of the class described, the

combination of a source of radiant light,

means for blowing a stream of air, means other than the source of radiant light for heating the stream of air and means for focusing the rays of radiant light, and the stream of heated air in a common field of operation.

counteract the chilling effect.

cos B 8. In a device of the class described the combination of a casing having an inlet and an outlet, a driving motor, said motor having a shaft provided with an impeller for blowing a stream of air through the outlet, a source of radiant energy located on the axis of the motor shaft and out of the path of the stream of air and means for directing the radiant energy through the outlet with the stream of air.

9. in a device of the class described the combination of a casing having an inlet and an outlet, a driving motor, said motor having a shaft provided with an impeller for blowing a stream of air through the outlet, a reflector located ahead of the impeller and forming a passage between it and the casing for the stream of air, and a source of radiant energy located on the axis of the motor shaft and ahead of said reflector to be out of the path of the stream of air, said reflector directing the radiant energy through the outlet.

10. In combination, a casing including a centric with the drum and having a motor shaft extending thereunto, said shaft having an impeller operating within the drum, a reflector located ahead of the impeller and forming a passage between it and the easing, means for heating the stream of air in its flow from the impeller through said passage, and a source of radiant energy in the focus of the reflector and out of the path of the stream of air.

11. The process of drying the hair and scalp which comprises projecting a blast of air upon a portion of the scalp and hair to be dried, simultaneously heating the air above atmospheric temperature to expand it and to lower its water vapor pressure, taking up the moisture of the hair and scalp by vaporization by said stream of air at a rapid rate, said vaporization being accompanied by chilling of the hair and scalp and simultaneously projecting radiant heat and light upon the portion of the hair and scalp to In witness whereof, I hereunto subscribe my name this 30th day of J uly, 1923.

WILLIAM MEYER. 

